Here is a summary of the results of a recent Stress Survey conducted at Northumbria University.
From May 1st to early June 2026 Northumbria UCU conducted a stress survey which was sent to members and non-members at Northumbria University. Given current disputes and restructures at the university, the ongoing pressures facing the higher education sector, and the perceived lack of action around addressing these issues elsewhere (see the University of Birmingham: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/birmingham-reprimanded-over-its-management-work-related-stress), this survey was essential to understand the issues people face here.
The survey included 13 quantitative questions (drawing on questions from the HSE stress risk assessment) from either a 1-4 or 1-5 scale, and one open-ended question if respondents wished to add any further comments. In total 521 members and non-members responded to the survey, and 233 respondents wrote additional qualitative comments.
Key findings
- Northumbria University overworks people: 79% said they always or often have to work intensively.
- Northumbria University handles change badly: 77% disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement “When changes are made at work, I am clear how they will work out in practice”.
- Northumbria University has a problem with stress: 82% reported “my experiences at work result in me feeling” highly or somewhat stressed.
Qualitative Comments
- Workload/Overworking was a key issue. The hours allocated to tasks within the workload model are do not reflect the time required to complete them, and the allocation of workload hours is seen as unfair and not transparent. This results in people being overworked, spending a large amount of time on evenings and weekends to complete tasks, and feeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with what is being asked of them.
- Changes to pay, pensions, and the potential of compulsory redundancies, have resulted in stress and anxiety for colleagues. A large amount of time has been spent thinking about these issues on top of the other stressors faced at work, adding to an increasingly stressful year. Comments indicated this has resulted in people not feeling valued. The 2025 All Staff Survey corroborates this: when asked whether ‘The University manages change effectively’ only 27.8% of all staff agreed or strongly agreed, and when asked whether ‘When changes are made they are usually for the better’ only 23.5% of all staff agreed or strongly agreed. A staggeringly small 22.9% of academic staff thought the university managed change effectively, dropping to 9% in Society and Culture.
- Issues around heating, hot desking, and other issues with office spaces and the physical environment of the workplace was emphasised. The lack of appropriate resources makes it difficult for people to do their jobs in their offices, and issues around hot desking and desk sharing has made people not want to come into the office, and to prefer to work from home. The 2025 Staff Survey corroborates this: 39.9% said they were satisfied with their physical environment – meaning over 60% aren’t.
- Management (at all levels) was highlighted as a concern and a cause of stress. This includes issues around communication, clear rationales for why decisions have been made, and the changes the institution has undergone recently.
- These issues are causing a large amount of stress, resulting in both psychological and physiological health issues for colleagues, and some harrowing personal testimonies in the responses. Colleagues discussed feeling undervalued, not heard, and that this has made them question their future at Northumbria University.